HomeCalculatorsPhysicsCircular Shear Calculator
Physics calculator

Circular Shear Calculator

Neutral-axis shear stress of one solid circle. The area moment comes from the circular-section engine. Runs locally.

Instant result
Result

Enter values to calculate.

Inputs
Mode
Formula
Trust summary Engine tested · Source checked · 4/4 tests · Production surface contract 6/6 · v1.0.0
Input interpretation
Enter values to calculate.
Result
Model
Neutral-axis shear stress of one solid circle.
Scope
Calculation runs locally in the browser; values are not uploaded.
Verification
Engine tested · 4/4 tests · Production surface contract 6/6 · Source checked · v1.0.0
Named expert review
Optional · Not performed
Sources
  • Hibbeler, Mechanics of Materials — Shear stress in a circular beam
Sources
Evidence
2 golden · 2 boundary · Production surface contract 6/6 · Artifact integrity PASS
Production
Embedded snapshot: unpublished · Build schema 1.0.0 ready · Semantic contract ✓ · Attestation report not published on origin · Live production status STALE (8 capabilities; 189 remain CURRENT) @ 2026-09-23T21:48:15.717Z
Semantic contract
PASS

Formulas

Core equations used by this calculator.

First momentQ = (2/3) r³
Shear stressτ = VQ/(I b)
iThe width at the axis is 2r. I comes from the circular-section engine. τ is evaluated by the transverse-shear engine. A hollow circle is its own page.

How to use

1

Enter the shear force and the radius

r must be positive. V may be negative. The line is a centroidal diameter.

2

Read the stress

τ = VQ/(I b). For this circle that is 4V/(3A). The sign of V is the sign of τ.

Example calculations

Common configurations with formula and result.

ϟ

Radius 2

V = 12, r = 2

Q = 16/3, b = 4, τ = 4/π
τ = 1.27324
ϟ

Reversed shear

V = −12, r = 2

τ = −4/π
τ = −1.27324

Circular Shear calculator specification

Version 1.0.0 · Engine tested

Calculation status

Review policy · Evidence

Definition
At the neutral axis of one solid circle, Q = (2/3) r³ and the width is 2r. τ = VQ/(I b). I comes from the circular-section engine. The result is also 4V/(3A).
What it calculates
Neutral-axis shear stress of one solid circle.
Inputs
  • V
  • r
Outputs
  • tau
  • Q
  • I
  • b
  • area
Formula
Q = (2/3) r³. b = 2r. I from the circular-section engine. τ = VQ/(I b).
Assumptions
  • Calculation runs locally in the browser; values are not uploaded.
  • Keep units consistent with the labels on each field.
  • The width at the axis is 2r. I comes from the circular-section engine. τ is evaluated by the transverse-shear engine. A hollow circle is its own page.
Units
  • V and r set the stress unit. τ has the unit of V/area.
Boundary conditions
  • missing V or r → MISSING_REQUIRED_INPUT
  • r ≤ 0 → VALUE_MUST_BE_POSITIVE
Example
V=12 r=2 → τ=4/π
Validation cases

3 published on this page · 4/4 tests · Production surface contract 6/6 · View evidence

  • V=12 r=2 → τ=4/π
  • V=-12 r=2 → τ=-4/π
  • r=0 → VALUE_MUST_BE_POSITIVE
Sources
  • Hibbeler, Mechanics of Materials — Shear stress in a circular beam
    Supports: The largest shear stress in a solid circle is at the neutral axis and equals four thirds of the average shear stress.
Calculation version
1.0.0

Background

Interpretation and common distinctions.

Find the neutral-axis shear stress of one solid circle.

Supported and not supported

Supported: Q = (2/3) r³ and b = 2r, with I from the circular-section engine and τ from the transverse-shear engine. The sign of V is the sign of τ.

Not supported: a hollow circle and a line that is not a centroidal diameter. /calc/mechanical is not open.

Agent / API notes

Capability id: mechanical.statics.circular_shear · tool id: circular-shear · pin 1.0.0.

{ "V": 12, "r": 2 }

Share the link with V and r. The result is not written into the link.

Other calculators in this family: Transverse shear, Circular section, Rectangular shear .

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Frequently asked questions

Key distinctions behind the calculation.

Where is the stress evaluated?

At a centroidal diameter. That is the largest shear stress in a solid circle.

Do I enter the area moment?

No. I is the centroidal moment of this solid circle, π r⁴/4. This page forms Q = (2/3) r³ and b = 2r, then τ = VQ/(I b).

Is a hollow circle included?

No. A hollow circle is its own page.